Éponine walked down the cobbled street, she wore thin leather shoes that didn't block away loose rocks that sometimes stabbed at her feet. Her ripped and worn dress and shawl did nothing to keep out the cold either. She had nowhere to go, no one to go home to. Her father beat her and she had left them anyways. Her brother Gavroche left them long ago, he had sense to do so when he could. She was not so lucky, but one day they had gone to far, and she could never return. Not that she wanted to.
"Mademoiselle, how about some fun for the night?" A stranger reeking of sick and drink came from the darkness, he pushed her back against the wall, shoving his hand up her skirt.
"No! Get off!" She cried, but he just put a hand over her mouth, she bit him hard feeling something crack between her teeth.
"Merde! You whore! You wretched little slut, you broke my hand!" He yelled, fear suddenly overtook her, she needed to get out of there. Now. Or she would be subjected to the police and then what? Grabbing at what she had left of her clothing and dignity she ran for it. The man grabbed her by the arm, wheeling her around and letting his hand hit her cheek. She gasped in surprise, recoiling against his fists in a position she knew all to well.
"You'll get it for that you bitch!" The man growled. Éponine crumpled, she was in for it. There was nothing that could be done, she would be defiled, again, and then thrown into the streets, or worse.
"Let her go, Monsieur." A familiar voice said from directly behind her, a warm hand took a hold of her waist and the man let go of her wrist quickly. The man looked afraid, and as the savior stepped in front of her she understood why. It was Marius' friend Enjolras, and he held a gun in his hand.
"I wasn't doing anything! She came on to me. I was just trying to save myself from her filth!" The man spat.
"Enough! I saw what happened, all of it. So your petty little lies wont work with me. I suggest you leave, now. I have every right to send you to the police for what you've done." Éponine stood directly behind him, her hands on his back. She was surprised with how he was acting, she had never thought strong freedom-bent Enjolras cared for women like her.
"Alright alright. No need to call on the police, I'm gone." The man sauntered off back into the dark. Enjolras turned to her, and Éponine realized she was shaking.
"Are you all right, Mademoiselle?" He asked, looking down at her. She hadn't realized how attractive he was until she was this close, his messy blonde hair worked with his rough attitude. His blue eyes actually looked concerned, and that confused Éponine deeply.
"Yes, thank you Monsieur." She replied, they stood awkwardly for a minute, Enjolras watched her, studying her every move.
"Where are you off to, Little Marius' Shadow?" Her cheeks burned, Marius' shadow!
"I'm not his shadow!" She exclaimed, Enjolras smirked, stepping away from her so as to get a better look at her.
"We'll you are close to his height… And you go around doing tasks for him-"
"I'm his friend. Nothing more." Enjolras frowned slightly, studying her again.
"You're in love with him." Shock ran through her, how did he know? She was a raised con artist, she knew how to keep things hidden. Yet here was his best friend telling her he knew her deepest secret.
"What makes you say that?" She asked, but her voice cracked a bit giving it away. Some sort of emotion ran across his face for a second, but it was gone before she could figure out what it meant.
"You never answered my question." Éponine frowned, how was she going to tell him that she had nowhere to go? His eyes bored into her.
"None of your business, Monsieur. Thank you again, goodnight." She turned to walk away but his voice stopped her.
"Where are you going Éponine?" He sounded broken, like he wanted to do something but he couldn't. She turned around to face him again.
"To my sister's house. It's just around the corner, I'll be fine." He studied her face for some truth and she put on a convincing though slightly forced smile. "Goodnight, Monsieur."
She turned again and nearly jogged away. He knew she was lying, she could tell. But what did that matter now? She wanted to kick herself. Foolish, Éponine he would have helped you. She thought. Tears now stinging at her eyes, maybe not majorly but he would probably would have at least found her a place to stay and given her some food.
She had seen Marius with Cosette, and her heart was breaking all over again. She turned the corner, not sure if he was following her or not. She hoped he wasn't, she was already upset at herself for turning down help… Once again her pride took the best of her.
Éponine looked down each street, looking for a suitable alley way to hide in for the night. Finally finding one without any sick on the ground at the end, Éponine traipsed down it. Sitting down into the muck and grit of wear and tear. She was there for a minute before Enjolras' voice found her again.
"So this is your sister's house. I thought she might be a little more neat but maybe she's busy." Her insides boiled, his comment seemed to rub her the wrong way.
"You followed me." She stated, he stepped into the light, he was wearing his signature red.
"You lied to me." He stated back, he looked almost disappointed.
"What else could I do, Monsieur?" She asked.
"Éponine! You were nearly just raped, you think walking off will save you? Jesus, that man that attacked you? He's waiting behind that corner over there, waiting to attack you again." She was tired, tired of trying to figure out people.
"Then let him." Enjolras looked shocked, his eyes narrowed in concern and confusion. He didn't speak for a while, just stared at him.
"Éponine.." He started.
"I have nothing, no food, no clothes, not even someone who loves me… Why should I fight anymore?" Éponine was surprised on how easy it was to tell how she was feeling, it was if only with him could she let her secrets go.
"He's broken you, hasn't he?" He asked, Éponine looked up.
"Who has?" She replied, Enjolras watched her sadly.
"Pontmercy." The name struck something in her, a pain and sorrow. She didn't speak in fear of saying something she'd regret, so she just looked at him, knowing he'd understand.
"I'm sorry." He said, "I was wrong about you. I had thought you just a shadow but I see how wrong I was." It was the most honest he'd been all night. Éponine was surprised at his confession, maybe, just maybe he had changed a bit.
"Monsieur, then we are on the same boat. I had thought something of you too." He nodded, she closed her eyes wishing he would go away and let her sleep, but he did not.
"Éponine I'm not going to leave you." She opened her eyes to find him closer, she almost wanted to scoot away. She had trouble trusting men, that would be because of her father. The only man she really trusted was Marius, and he was gone now too.
"Monsieur Enjorlas-"
"Just Enjolras, Mademoiselle." He teased, she puffed up instantly. Surprised at his informality but mad at him calling her mademoiselle for she was far from one.
"Don't call me that, I am no lady Mon- Enjolras." She stopped herself halfway through, her cheeks burned.
"You look like a lady to me."
"Are you going to bother me all night?" She spat, she didn't mean to make it come out that way but her patience was running thin. Enjolras set his jaw tight, he was calculating her again. She realized she hated when he did that. She hated being judged, that was why she usually hid in the shadows.
"Éponine." He said, his voice almost pleading but warning at the same time. She was confused, he was being too kind to her. Her defense mechanism went up, to protect herself she had to get him to go away. She didn't think she could deal with another person she would be unable to trust.
"Don't you have some revolution to be directing?" She meant to hurt him there, he was annoying her with his staring and his odd persistence. He still stood there, looking at her reproachably.
"Or have you lost your edge? Monsieur I am not worth your time. I don't need your sympathy. I don't want it." She had lied, but she couldn't help it. She had had too much pain in her life. Enjolras' blue eyes flashed anger, good, she thought.
"I was wrong again about you. I thought there was hope for you but I see now that there isn't. Goodnight, Mademoiselle." He turned away walking slowly down the alley way back to the street. Éponine was shocked again, his words stung more than it probably would with any other person.
She couldn't figure him out. She was tired, yes, but it was as if he was bringing something into her she hadn't had inside herself in a long while. It almost scared her. She kicked herself again, not physically of course, but she was mad. In a moment of turmoil and anger, her mind reeling this way and that. Not sure of she could trust him but knowing she didn't have another choice, she let out two small words.
"I'm sorry."